Donna Stapleton, of Prior Lake, passed away September 8, 2017 at the age of 76. Visitation is Monday, September 11, 2017 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, Prior Lake. Mass of Christian Burial is Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at 11:00 AM with visitation one-hour prior at St. Michael Catholic Church in Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker will preside, and Donna will be laid to rest at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery in Prior Lake.
On May 1, 1941, Donna was born to parents Winfred and Agnes (Kruse)Wagner. She was the oldest of five and grew up in South East Minneapolis with her siblings, Jackie, Mary Jo, Ken and Sally. Even though she grew up in the city, Donna got a taste of farm life, because she’d spend summers on her grandparents’ farm in Central Minnesota.
After graduating from Marshall High School, Donna began working in the Continuation Center at the University. During this time, Donna attended a party in the dorms where she was introduced to a nice young man named Peter Stapleton. He asked her out the first night they met, and they’ve been together ever since. Peter and Donna were married on November 18, 1961 in Minneapolis.
They were blessed with three wonderful children and settled in Prior Lake to raise their family. Donna was a wonderful wife and mother. She kept everything running smoothly at home, and had a full-time job outside the home too. Donna worked as a cashier in accounts receivable at National Car Rental for more than 20 years. She then worked part-time at Eagle Creek Quilt Shop for more than ten years. She loved the work and the people she worked with.
Donna was a talented quilter and passed this love on to her daughters. She taught them so much and was always there to help fix any wrong stiches for them. Donna put lots of love into every quilt. She often gave them as special gifts to family and friends. Donna was an active member of a quilting group that donated many quilts to those in need, including Children’s Hospital. She was also involved in the Prayer Shawl Ministry at St. Michael Catholic Church.
When Donna wasn’t quilting, she enjoyed birdwatching, gardening and canning vegetables. Donna also loved spending time with her family. She was very close with her grandsons, Joseph and Peter. Even though they live in Illinois, Peter and Donna made it a point to see them as much as they could.
Donna was a kind-hearted woman with a beautiful soul. She is survived by her husband, Peter; children, Renee Stapleton, Richard (Christine Blaine) Stapleton, Roxanne (Scott) Heuer; grandsons, Joseph and Peter; siblings, Jackie Olson, Mary Jo (Ed) Guzek, Ken (Pam) Wagner and Sally Judge. Donna is preceded by her parents, Winfred and Agnes (Kruse) Wagner.
